Today, the highly anticipated Hôtel Swexan opens its doors for service. Fusing its Swiss heritage with Texan hospitality (as
detonated by its moniker), the hotel was founded on an acute attention-to-detail, service, and best-in-class amenities and design, while also sharing a playful, familial spirit in a way that only a local Texas-born and bred hotel knows how.
Located in the heart of Dallas’ Harwood District, just steps from some of the city’s most popular art, entertainment, and culinary attractions, the hotel is poised to be the crown jewel of the district. A place that welcomes both travelers and locals alike of all generations and cultures to celebrate, inspire, discover, and enchant.
“We are absolutely thrilled to officially open this exciting new hotel and share the next chapter of Dallas luxury with the world,” says General Manager Julian Payne. “We look forward to providing our visitors with a top-tier level of service that defines the Hôtel Swexan name, fostering connections, and creativity, and showcasing what makes this city truly special.”
The hotel’s exterior was created and envisioned by famed Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma. The mirrored structure exemplifies Kuma’s philosophy that buildings should enrich the connection between architecture and its surrounding landscape – its mirrored walls both seamlessly blend in and reflect the vibrant colors of its surroundings.
“For Hôtel Swexan, we were assigned the task of designing the building’s facades, which for us was like tailoring a suit—precise and crisp in the Swiss approach and relaxed and robust in the Texan spirit—made of local materials. The horizontals and verticals build on the theme found throughout our projects for Harwood, a loose and woven grid. This suit should feel made for the spaces and the rich diversity within, welcoming, with surprising moments and movement throughout. We are interested in the continuity between regional tradition and cosmopolitan modernity. This exterior coat sets the tone, and wears through the day with changing light, from morning to dusk and into the evening,” says Kengo Kuma of Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Interior design for the hotel has been inspired by the world’s grandest cities, combined with the founders’ travels and passion for art and design, taking their favorite elements and traditions from cultures worldwide (from the intimate cocktail bars of Paris to the impressive architecture in Japan) to develop a one-of-a-kind, bespoke spaces. The hotel’s interior architectural details are derived from a classical 19th-century Parisian residence-turned-hotel, with comfortable yet elegant furniture and intricate, hand-carved stone and wooden fireplaces on every floor of the hotel. On the main level, the hotel’s grand foyer will serve as a backdrop for unique artworks that will change year-round, with rich masculine leathers, carved millwork walls, plank wood ceilings, and wood parquet floors. Bright and colorful Hermès scarves, designed for the founder’s art collection, are displayed throughout the hotel.
Brimming with timeless European style and handsome Texas warmth, Hôtel Swexan’s 134 well-appointed guest rooms have a residential feel, featuring five-fixture baths, Le Labo body and hair care products, and floor-to-ceiling windows, offering sweeping views of the Dallas skyline. The hotel includes eight suites; six on the dedicated grand premier suite 19th floor and two additional suites on the 18th floor, which can connect to two additional rooms with a private entrance. No two suites are created the same, taking guests on an individualized journey pending the suite of their choice. While the Grand Swexan suite combines a rich masculine color palette and antique statement pieces (with a private sauna), the Imperial Suite is a Moroccan-inspired oasis with European furniture, natural woven materials, and warm wooden tones for an eclectic yet vintage feel. The District Suite is a high gloss showstopper with leathers, metals, and a centerpiece chandelier made of solid glass whiskey decanters, while The Harwood Suite features high contrast natural marble and wood details, a dining room, a private sauna, and a 1.5 bath.
Hôtel Swexan offers five culinary concepts, with Stillwell’s as the headlining act. Open to both guests and locals, Stillwell’s is a bold Texas steakhouse that pays homage to its female heroine for which it is named, Hallie Stillwell. Including a lively bar, inventive cocktails, plush seating, and mid-century, jewel-toned, and walnut adorning design, the restaurant will exclusively serve HWD – Harwood Premium Beef – a new sourcing vertical that has been years in the making. Through a partnership between Harwood International and a Texas/Oklahoma ranch, Stillwell’s guests will receive world-renowned, locally raised, and ranched Akaushi cattle. One of the hallmark features of the HWD Beef (aside from its exclusivity at Harwood restaurants) is its zero-waste component. HWD utilizes the full animal, turning hides into leathers and rugs, and bones to make stocks, sauces, and even dog treats, ensuring no waste is produced from the partnership. On the beverage front, Stillwell’s world-class wine list has been curated by female Master Sommelier, Barbara Werley.
Additional food and beverage concepts include Isabelle’s, an afternoon tea enclave with a Parisian-inspired patio that transforms into a swanky martini bar at night, Library at Babou’s, and Babou’s, which is a two-story intimate library that gives way to an unexpected, vibrant cocktail lounge with DJ sets and eclectic décor. On the rooftop features Pomelo and Leonie, two refreshing spots for international cuisine and drinks exclusively reserved for hotel guests.
Experiences and amenities are layered at every turn of the hotel with the strictest attention to detail. On the 20th floor, find an infinity edge rooftop pool stretching 75 feet, where guests can relax and unwind on upholstered chaise loungers or in VIP cabanas. On the sixth floor, customizable for weddings and events, a dedicated grand event space designed with classic Corinthian details, including floor-to-ceiling classically-styled white millwork walls, polished marble floors, custom brass chandeliers, and antique hand-carved fireplaces, awaits. Just up above, the hotel’s eighth floor is a state-of-the-art fitness center with unparalleled city views, cold plunge, cutting-edge technology, and a large outdoor green space that allows for outdoor yoga, boot camps, and pilates. The locker areas offer separate wet and dry saunas for men and women.
Hôtel Swexan is the first hotel project for Dallas-based Harwood Hospitality Group, which owns and operates several acclaimed restaurants throughout the 19-block Harwood neighborhood, including Happiest Hour, Saint Ann Restaurant & Bar, and Dolce Riviera.
